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Post by Waterdrup on Sept 29, 2019 4:04:15 GMT -6
SEEKING SHELTER While an Autumn storm rolls over the farmlands in the West, Darevan tries to find shelter for the night at Gwen's farmhouse.
Post Chapter 8
Autumn, Year 1701 |
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Post by Waterdrup on Sept 29, 2019 9:58:08 GMT -6
Gwen | Farmer
Dark grey clouds had rolled in to cover the skies above the western farmlands as the day neared its end. They’d brought a consistent curtain of rain, while the wind picked up and swept the droplets against the window. Gwen couldn’t hear the rain, nor the howling wind or distant rumble that might promise a thunderstorm.
The deaf white mare was sitting near the gentle glow of the hearth warming the living room. She was trying to compose a letter to a friend and her eyes drifted to the flames. Her mother, a dark mare with a stern face, had gone to sleep a while ago, after maybe a little too much to drink. Rhosyn did that sometimes when her husband was away for errands or having a game night with neighboring farmers.
Gwen let out a sigh as she looked at her letter again. It was getting late, she was growing tired, maybe she should retire to her bed as well. A sudden flash of light made the mare jump slightly and she rose from the pillows on the floor. They’d closed the shutters when the sunset, but the lightning had still managed to get through the cracks.
Carefully Gwen moved to open the door, just to peek outside. She was greeted by a cold gust of wind that sprayed her with rain. She was surprised to see the storm, since it had been a pretty sunny autumn day. Now rain puddles littered the courtyard and the distant trees were swinging in the strong wind. During another flash Gwen could just make out a cart in front of the barn and she nearly winced.
The mare hurried to put on her warm pelt and she closed the door behind her, bracing against the storm as she made her way over to the barn. That cart held a lot of their harvesting tools, which would get damaged if they stayed out in this weather all night. Gwen shivered in the sudden cold and dampness, glad that she could return to the warm hearth in a moment. She just needed to push that cart into the barn so it would be covered.
Gwen nervously fumbled to open the barn door and the wind nearly tore it from her teke grasp. The appaloosa felt her heartbeat quicken slightly as started to push against the cart. It hardly moved and by then the mare noticed that it was leaning to one side. A huge puddle had formed under the cart and both wheels were sunken into the mud. Gwen gritted her teeth as she tried to push again, but although she was strong, it was nearly impossible to simultaneously pull the cart up out of the mud and move it forward. The mare struggled, becoming more and more nervous, she really didn’t want to wake her mother, but she could not leave this cart outside.
Wordcount 484 | Post #1 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Oct 20, 2019 15:31:44 GMT -6
 Darevan;War Forged|Raider
A litany of curses dripped from the stallion's lips as he moved along the roads, legs pumping in a ground eating pace. However, he couldn't go as fast as he'd like, not with the mud and darkening sky. Soon, he was forced to slow down, amethyst eyes throwing a glare at the sky as he panted, trotting forward through the rain. There was no way on Kaia's good earth that he was going to make it back to Skeldr that night. Not without traveling all night through this storm and that idea...held no appeal.
Darevan wasn't in an intense hurry to get anywhere, he'd just wanted to beat the worst of the storm and get home. Or at least to a good tavern he could wait out the weather or crash. Sides heaved as he drew in a deep breath, pulling air into his lungs and down to his burning legs. They weren't cramping, for he was very fit, but he'd definitely been traveling at a good clip for hours. Teke pulled his rain cloak tighter about his frame as he cursed Alya and Cascade for their timing once again.
Perhaps there was somewhere nearby he could hole up? Even a warm barn sounded better than a wet camp, or if it came to that, he'd just keep walking until he reached his destination.
But a warm barn...
The raider's ears perked forward as he walked, turning down the next lane he came to. With any luck, he'd find an amiable farmer at the end.
Instead, he caught sight of a mare, struggling with a cart before a barn, white coat glaringly obvious in the brief moments of lightning struck light.
"Well, that'll do," Darevan murmured to himself, a smirk slipping across lips as he strode forward. "You need help with that?" he shouted, voice broadcasting easily, though a loud rumble of thunder nearly drowned it out. Not wanting either of them to have to be out when the rain really started falling again in earnest, the stallion trotted up beside Gwen and threw his shoulder low beside the cart's wheels. He grunted as he heaved, rocking the entire cart as he attempted to push the wheel free of the clinging gloop.
WC:373 | Post #1 |
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Post by Waterdrup on Oct 24, 2019 7:08:25 GMT -6
Gwen | Farmer
As consumed as Gwen was by her current task, she still noticed the moving figure from the corner of her eye. The stallion startled her as he trotted up and threw his muscled body against the cart, successfully tearing the wheels free. Gwen hesitated for a moment before realizing that the stranger was helping her and she resumed pushing. With their combined force the horses easily moved the muddy wagon forward, under the high roof of the barn.
As soon as they were out of the rain Gwen stepped back. Her breath coming a little faster as she shook wet strands of hair from her brown eyes. She tried to sneak a look at the handsome unicorn without him noticing. He was drenched as well and the mare wondered why he would be out at night in such weather. Gwen glanced at her own musk-ox pelt, soaked even as she had been outside for only a little while. Suddenly she felt insecure about the mud covering her legs and clinging to her feathers and how messy her braid was.
Surprised but super grateful for the random act of kindness Gwen pushed herself to collect enough courage to speak. “Thank you… thank you so much.” She started carefully. “ehm, my name is Gwen.” She added shyly. Making sure to watch the stallion for any response. Her mind already started to think about what she should do next, offer a warm drink maybe? She started to nibble on her bottom lip as she considered the options.
Wordcount 254 | Post #2 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Nov 5, 2019 17:19:40 GMT -6
Darevan;War Forged|Raider
Once the cart was safely within the barn, the stallion drew in a deep breath before expelling it sharply, at the same time giving himself a fierce shake during the momentary reprieve from the falling water.
Darevan felt like an absolute mess. Despite the best efforts of his oiled cloak, he felt soaked through. He was covered in sweat, the padding beneath his leather armor itched, and he was coated in mud up past his knees. He was pretty sure there was even some in his beard.
He wasn’t surprised the mare seemed nervous or wary, he probably looked like some ruffian. He definitely felt like one, actually.
“You’re welcome, and the name’s Darevan. I’m a raider,” the unicorn offered by way of explanation, purple hued eyes studying the mostly white equine before him. She was nibbling her lip, and it was actually quite cute.
“Uh, look, I actually wandered up this lane hoping I could find someone who’d let me bed down in their barn or something for night. I don’t suppose I could talk with your old man, miss?” Darevan might be rough around the edges and temperamental, but he wouldn’t have it said that he ever mistreated a pretty lady...or well, any ladies who acted with a sense of decorum. Those valks on the other hoof...
WC:226 | Post #2 |
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Post by Waterdrup on Nov 15, 2019 4:39:44 GMT -6
Gwen | Farmer
Gwen subconsciously mouthed the stallions name. Darevan? Was that right? Name’s where always tricky to reproduce. More than once the mare had avoided using the name of a person because she was too nervous to say it wrong. Gwen visibly relaxed a little when she caught the word raider. A protector of the herd then. Aggressive and short-tempered enemies, but dependable allies for a traveling merchant, as her father would say. What would her father say now, to the request Darevan was making?
Gwen hesitated before speaking. “My father, Gerallt, won’t be home before the morning and my mother… she has already retired for the night and I wouldn’t want to disturb her.” The mare’s voice grew a little softer towards the end as she looked away. For a moment Gwen felt trapped. On the one hoof she didn’t want to go against her parents wishes or decide in their stead, but on the other hoof she really wanted to repay this kind unicorn. The white horse glanced at the mud across Darevan’s legs. She couldn’t send him back out there.
Taking in a deep breath, Gwen raised her head slightly. “I suppose it wouldn’t trouble anyone if you spend the night in the barn.” She said slowly, trying to convince herself even as she talked. It would be fine, her father probably wouldn’t mind. The raider had helped her after all, this was the least she could do. Actually, she should get him some blankets to dry so he wouldn’t get sick, yeah, and some tea, that was probably alright, they had enough of those. Gwen’s brown eyes looked up and she pushed through her insecurity. “Would… would you like some tea maybe, mister... Darevan?” She asked carefully.
Wordcount 289 | Post #3 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Nov 15, 2019 21:58:52 GMT -6
Darevan;War Forged|Raider
“Ah,” was the quiet sound of acknowledgement made as Gwen spoke, chest heaving in a disappointed sigh. He’d really been hoping for some shelter, but he supposed Alya and Cascade were going to keep getting to harass him for longer this night. Damn.
Head had lifted and the stallion had begun to turn toward the door of the barn, determination and resignation settling across strong features when he heard the mare’s voice drift into the air once more. Darevan paused, glancing back at her in surprise.
“You sure ‘bout that?” the raider inquired, noting that she really didn’t seem very confident about her offer. Would her parents be angry with her? Or was it because he was...well a strange stallion who was caked in mud showing up on her doorstep at dusk during a storm.
“Mister?” Darevan repeated with a short bark of laughter, shaking his head. He took her hesitancy at face value, assuming she was shy, instead of deaf, with the way she spoke. And tea...oh, he’d love something stronger than that, and had been daydreaming about a strong mug of ale on the muddy road, but at least the leaf water would be hot.
“Aye, I’d enjoy something hot to drink. And maybe you’ve a bucket if it’s not much trouble? I can fill it with rain water and wash off my gear at least,” he added, gaze shifting about what he could see of the interior of the barn. With a barely audible sigh of relief, he stepped toward the door of the structure and set his war hammer down, leaning against the wall, shrugging his saddle bags off from beneath his oiled cloak to put down as well.
He resisted the urge to remove his cloak and shake himself like some damned dog before the pretty mare, though.
WC:305 | Post #3 |
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Post by Waterdrup on Nov 22, 2019 8:27:33 GMT -6
Gwen | Farmer
Gwen smiled when she saw Darevan laugh, she liked to see people happy and his handsome face looked so much better when he seemed amused. The young mare felt something flutter inside her chest, but a familiar voice in the back of her head started to speak up. ‘He’s laughing at you. He thinks you a fool and he’s right. What are you even doing?’ Gwen swallowed, trying to ignore the voice. She’d made up her mind, it would be rude towards the raider to come back on her offer now.
Since the deaf mare was trying so hard to read this stranger, she thought she saw a look of disappointed at the prospect of tea. Even though he was polite enough to say he’d enjoy it. Gwen wondered if he’d prefer something else, but she was distracted by his next question. The practical request stirred her into action. “Ah, yes.” She said, already moving.
Except for the occasional flash of lightning the barn had been pretty dark, but the farmer’s daughter knew her way around it. She hurried to light a few small lamps that dangled from hooks on the wooden beams. Their glow revealed a little more of the old and worn interior. One side was stacked with fresh hay, which filled the room with a nice herbal scent. The other side was stacked with marked crates and a collection of farming equipment.
Gwen rummaged through some stuff in the corner, absentmindedly returning a forgotten pitchfork to its place on the wall. Eventually the mare returned to Darevan with a large, round through made of thick wood with iron bands circling the edges. “I will get some towels as well.” She assured the stallion, tucking her pelt close to her body as she looked out into the storm.
Gwen didn’t mind the rain that much and besides, now that she’d made up her mind, she was happy to play hostess for the well-mannered raider. A smile played across her freckled lips as the mare prepared to run through the rain again.
Wordcount 343 | Post #4 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Jan 26, 2020 16:34:29 GMT -6
Darevan;War Forged|Raider
Bright gaze followed the mare as she hustled about the barn, lighting a few lamps to illuminate the area around them. It was quite typical of a farmer's barn, but that in itself was rather comforting. The smell of fresh hay and promise of a dry place to sleep was much better than the cold mud and rain he'd either had to camp in or continue slogging through the storm to find better shelter elsewhere.
"Thanks," Dareven murmured quickly, as he took the wooden container from Gwen's teke, the gratitude quite sincere and encompassing all she'd done so far, but also for the fact she'd thought about towels. He watched her dart out into the rain again, setting the bucket out to collect the water falling from the skies. While it was filling, the stallion shucked off his muddy bracers and armor, putting it in a pile just inside the door, until he was only wearing his metal tail accessory. He stared down at his muddy legs and tail, then gritted his teeth and took a deep breath before stepping back into the cold rain.
He'd get clean the quickest just swiping the mud off in the rain, and in short order he was divested of all the mud, and back in the barn. Dripping and cold, though he shook off as much water as possible, he shivered occasionally in stoic silence as he pulled his first piece of gear and the bucket toward him, idly thinking that the white mare should be back any time now. That brought a small, fleeting smile to lips. It was nice to have sweet female company for a change, instead of raucous stallions in a tavern.
WC:283 | Post #4 |
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Post by Waterdrup on Jan 31, 2020 5:25:50 GMT -6
Gwen | Farmer
The living room was definitely warmer, Gwen concluded as the rain dripped from her forelock. The fire in the hearth had grown small though and she was not kindling it. She was too anxious to invite the stallion inside the house, just in case her mother woke up. Even though Gwen was just helping the Raider and not doing anything wrong, she suspected her mother would be far less hospitable. So she would keep this to herself for now, which explained the faster beat of her heart.
The white mare quickly stuffed a couple towels and a blanket into a burlap bag, feeling a bit of a rush, a playful feeling as if she was a filly again. If she wasn’t so annoyingly nervous she might have giggled at the secret. Gwen bit her bottom lip as her brown eyes scanned the room. She’d offered Darevan tea, but it would take a while to boil water and it’d be unpractical to manoeuvre cups and such back and forth to the barn.
Slowly, her gaze travelled to the cabinet where her father kept his stronger spirits. Gerallt barely opened those bottles, preferring the black beer from the cellar, but he sometimes offered guests a bit more. Gwen had also caught her brother Aeron sneaking a couple of sips, claiming the alcohol warmed him right up… Holding her breath, Gwen took out the smallest bottle, thinking it’d be the least valuable. She tucked it safely between the towels and headed back to the barn once more.
Stepping inside, the young mare nearly stumbled at the sight of a completely bare Darevan. He was washing his gear, shivering in his soaked coat. Which wasn’t dark like Gwen had assumed, but partly white. Her ears perked up as her own insecurity about her boring appearance lifted a tiny little bit. She could hardly look away as she offered the stallion a towel. “Can… can I help you with that?” She asked softly, glancing at the muddy cloak. Why was her face feeling so warm suddenly?
Wordcount 340 | Post #5 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Feb 2, 2020 13:45:40 GMT -6
Darevan;War Forged|Raider
Ears flickered as he heard the hoof beats of the mare returning, just barely audible over the rain when she came to the entrance to the barn. Purple hued eyes lifted from where they were examining one of his leg bracers, which was still mostly caked with mud. He blinked at the sight of the towel, a warm smile of gratitude appearing on lips for a moment as he took the proffered cloth and began drying his face, before tossing it over his back.
He clearly wasn't shy in the least, and actually found himself flexing a bit more than he needed as he swiped away the cold rain water, posing here and there for his current companion. "Thanks, lass," Darevan said, tossing her a grin and feeling quite a bit warmer now that the rain water was no longer soaking his coat. At Gwen's inquiry of help, he tilted his head slightly, looking confused as he glanced between his gear and her.
"Are ya sure about that? I mean, ya've already done enough. Don't ya want to get back inside where it's warmer?" The raider peered out into the rain, shaking his head a bit. "I don't wanna get blamed if ya get sick or something, messing about with muddy gear and cold water at night," he added, flicking his tail as he tossed the thoroughly dampened towel over his shoulders.
Actually... "Here, ya better take this before I forget myself and use it to swipe at the mud," Darevan added, shaking his head at himself as he held out the towel to the white mare.
WC:267 | Post #5 |
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Post by Waterdrup on Feb 8, 2020 17:08:25 GMT -6
Gwen | Farmer
The stallion seemed very confident about his physic and he might as well be. Gwen felt her heartbeat pick up the pace. She had studied body language long enough to suspect Darevan was moving a little too deliberate, but she wasn’t complaining. More than anything, Gwen was surprised at the mere thought of the Raider trying to impress her. She wasn’t sure how she should be feeling about that, so, for now, she settled on feeling pleasantly surprised.
The young mare caught herself though when the Raider starting speaking, focusing intently on reading his words. As she did, the smile that had been on her face started to slowly wash away. Darevan was merely being considerate, or maybe he just wanted privacy. But Gwen felt her insecurities flare up, thinking of alternative reasons for why the stallion was suggesting she should leave the barn. Reasons that were far less kind.
The shy mare wasn’t one to protest, but she couldn’t help lowering her head in slight disappointment, her gaze falling to the floor. She’d just started to like the little adventure. From her peripheral vision, Gwen noticed the towel moving her way and when she looked up, Darevan was holding it out to her, seemingly expecting something.
Gwen subconsciously flattened her useless ears in unease when she realized she’d missed him say something. The white mare hesitated before she took the wet towel from the Raider. Had he asked for another one? Had he asked for something else? There didn’t seem to be a question in his purple eyes, but then again, he wasn’t easy to read for Gwen.
First off he was a total stranger. Secondly, the young mare had a hard time looking at Darevan’s face, let alone his eyes, for more than a moment. Gwen always felt some degree of embarrassment when she told people she was deaf, but she’d also learned it was important to do. She didn’t want to accidentally ignore anyone and hurt their feelings. So she swallowed hard and braced herself.
“Ehm, I’m sorry m… mister Darevan” The shy mare started, stuttering through his name again. Then pushed through in a rush. “Actually, you see, I’m deaf. I’m sorry for not saying this sooner.” Her chest moved visibly with each shallow breath she took. “I can still understand you if you face me when you talk, but I… I didn’t look, didn’t see what you said just now. I’m sorry.” There, she said it. Gwen tensed as she waited for his reaction, a couple of scenarios already running through her head in a chaotic mess.
Wordcount 433 | Post #6 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Feb 11, 2020 22:16:19 GMT -6
Darevan;War Forged|Raider
One brow lifted as the mare's head began to lower. She looked...Darevan actually wasn't sure. Disappointed? Dejected? Something that was far away from the spectrum of obstinate I'm-better-than-you that he got on the daily from those damn valks.
It was refreshing, actually.
Except then she began to look confused, almost lost, as he stood there holding the towel for her to take. It was sort of awkward, and he was about to shake the silly cloth thing, when Gwen spoke up again. The stallion blinked, a little stunned, at the declaration, but even more so because of the mare's expression.
She wasn't going to cry or anything, was she? She didn't look teary, but he was damn useless when it came to tears.
"Uh, really? Well, that's a new one," Darevan replied, resisting the urge to lean forward and peer at her ears. Damnit, man, don't do anything stupid. She said she was deaf, not mauled by something. It was a handicap, to be sure, but it clearly hadn't affected her mind that much. Her speech had fooled him, after all.
"I said, you better take this towel before I forget myself and wipe at the mud with it," the raider repeated, speaking a little more slowly and clearly now that he knew she was reading his lips to understand him. Clever adaptation, actually. With a ponderous expression, and more curious than angry he'd been fooled like that, the stallion reached out and tossed the damp towel over Gwen's shoulders. He shifted forward, circling her slowly, purple hued eyes curious, searching, studying.
It was entirely rude.
He didn't give a damn.
Instead, he noted that the legs visible beneath her pelt were toned with muscle, a natural worker's muscle. The farming kind that said she was a hard worker, could pull her own weight. Not the kind the valks liked to flaunt beneath their armor, daring every raider to try and beat them. And this one had been pushing pretty hard against that cart earlier, trying to get it into the barn.
So she was deaf, but that seemed to be the only fault about her. Didn't interfere with her work or slow her down, and she'd communicated pretty well till she hadn't been paying attention.
"Well, even deaf, I'll take your company over those valks any day of the week," Darevan finally announced as he completed his circle to stand where he had been, a smirk playing about his expression. "I suppose that means I'll be nice and stay where you can see my handsome mug, eh?"
The smirk only grew.
WC:433 | Post #6 |
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Post by Waterdrup on Feb 17, 2020 7:06:00 GMT -6
Gwen | Farmer
Gwen was afraid the Raider would be angry or annoyed, or conclude she was dumb or something. She thought she saw his eyes dart to her ears for a moment and she pressed them back even further in her shame. The stallion didn’t seem angry though, just surprised and a little curious.
Darevan repeated what he’d said before and Gwen could immediately tell he was speaking a tad slower and with more articulation. The young mare felt her chest swell with gratitude. Ever since she gradually started to lose her hearing she’d tried hard to read people, practicing her own speech with her brother to make sure it would stay as clear as possible.
Before she could respond though the Raider tossed the towel across her shoulders and started to circle her. Gwen froze instantly, the warm feeling seeping away as the strong looking stallion studied her with his gaze. The white mare felt utterly insecure and anxious, lowering her head even more as she wondered what Darevan was looking for. Gwen was glad she was still wearing her dark pelt, even though it was wet and she was beginning to cool down.
When Darevan stood in front of her again there was a smirk on his face. "Well, even deaf, I'll take your company over those valks any day of the week,” The farmer girl was looking up at him from under her lashes. Did he just compare her to those strong but strange mares that called themselves Valkyries? Was that supposed to be… a compliment? Gwen’s ears swivelled forward cautiously but curious. "I suppose that means I'll be nice and stay where you can see my handsome mug, eh?"
There was more blushing and a sense of relief as Gwen allowed herself to smile softly. She didn’t really know what to say and eventually settled on a sincere “Thank you.” Before distracting herself by rummaging through the burlap bag again and placing the bottle on the ground next to Darevan. “I’m sorry, I got you this instead of tea, I hope it’s alright.” She said before moving to hang the wet towel somewhere to dry. Planning to find the Raider a rough brush to get rid of the mud.
Wordcount 371 | Post #7 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Mar 13, 2020 14:58:55 GMT -6
Darevan;War Forged|Raider
Darevan chuckled, rather amused, as he noticed her blushing embarrassment. She seemed very unsure, but was smiling gently -- a quite attraction reaction to his flirting. The mares he was more used to dealing with would have been snappy, rude, or vulgar. Definitely not his thing. But Gwen was...innocent.
Head tilted as the white mare dug about in her sack, pulling out a small bottle instead of something larger that he would have expected her leaf water to come from. Ears perked up as she mentioned that this definitely wasn't tea, and he shifted forward to pick the item up with his teke and examine it. He glanced up as Gwen moved away, appearing to be looking for something in the barn. He flicked his tail in dismissal, gaze shifting to the bottle instead.
"Oh, definitely stronger than tea," Darevan announced, a wide grin taking the arrogance from his features. He pulled the stopper out and took a swig, closing the bottle with a low whistle of appreciation. "That is way better than tea. Nice and warm going down. This'll light a fire in your belly," he remarked with another low chuckle and grin, tempted to take another swig of the whiskey. But no, he'd better not. It wasn't his. He'd leave it be, for now. Maybe after he finished with his gear, anyway.
WC:224 | Post #7 |
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Post by Waterdrup on Apr 6, 2020 12:38:24 GMT -6
Gwen | Farmer
Gwen rummaged through some of the equipment, sending up dust particles in the old barn. She needed to calm down. The young mare shivered slightly under her soaked mane and pelt. She should have grabbed her cloak instead, it would have done more to keep the cold water out. Such a fool.
Her green teke pulled the rough brush she’d been looking for out of a crate. Gwen looked it over and made a mental note that they should probably re-organize their tools before Spring came around. The white mare hesitated, her back still to Darevan.
She wasn’t sure what she should do. On the one hand, the stallion seemed nice enough, but on the other hand, he had been so forward. Gwen felt a little anxious, unable to calm down her nerves. Her insecurities were shouting at her to just let the raider be, to go back to the house, where she would be safe.
The white mare slowly walked back to Darevan, her head low and her eyes never staying on his face for long. “Mister Darevan,” She started, using her green teke to offer up the brush. “This will help with cleaning your gear. Ehm, it is probably best if you would leave here before sunrise.” Gwen scrambled for some courage to continue, the blush returning to her face, if it had ever left. “But, feel free to come back someday or… or maybe you’ll be at the Flower Festival as well?”
The hardest part about being very shy and very deaf, Gwen found, was having to actually maintain eye contact and stare at someone’s lips and face and general body language to be able to understand what they were saying. The farmer girl knew why she was finding this extra hard with Darevan, she’d secretly read some romantic novels and… well... anyway, she was probably in trouble already and although Gwen was eager to help out, she wasn’t that quick to actually trust others it seemed.
She had to say goodbye. For now.
Wordcount 337 | Post #8 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Apr 22, 2020 9:27:01 GMT -6
Darevan;War Forged|Raider
The stallion glanced up at his companion, returning his attention to her, instead of the chest and back guard he'd been carefully laying out. They hadn't acquired as much muck as his bracers, but he wanted them fully dry before he put them back on in the morning. Wet leather rubbing under the weight of his saddlebags and war hammer was absolutely terrible and he didn't want sores.
"Back to the mister thing, eh? Thanks though, this'll be real helpful on my bracers," the raider remarked, flashing a grin of appreciation for the brush as he accepted it with his own teke. He studied her for a minute, since it wasn't like he could look away to start in on his gear anyway. Not if she was going to be able to hold a conversation with him. Definitely a draw back to this sweet little mare.
"Sunrise? Aight then, I can do that," Darevan replied, giving a decisive nod. It was early, but nothing unusual, and he wasn't about to argue about it. Her barn, her rules. He was still just glad he'd found a place to crash for the night that was warm and out of the weather.
Still though, that blush was just too much. Was he really that intimidating or off putting? Maybe handsome? The unicorn really didn't know, but he was certainly enjoying it. And at the invitation to come back someday, or meet at the Flower Festival...a real, warm, and seldom seen smile tugged his lips into being expressed.
"Ya know, I'd like that a lot. And if you ever need any muscle around here, just holler for me, okay?" This time he winked at her, chuckling and sincere, before he remembered something.
"Oh, better take this back with ya before I forget and finish it," Darevan added, picking up the whiskey. He gave it a sad look of remorse that he couldn't keep drinking it, but on impulse took another long sip before corking it and handing the small bottle back with a grin.
"You've been a blessing this night, ya know. I appreciate it."
WC:352 | Post #8 |
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Post by Waterdrup on Apr 29, 2020 1:45:03 GMT -6
Gwen | Farmer
Gwen watched as Darevan showed her the most genuine smile and the young mare felt a sudden calm wash over her. What was she doing? For a moment she doubted her decision to leave all over again. Gwen caught herself in the next moment when the stallion said he’d like to meet again. Her chest swelled with happiness and hope. That was enough for now.
At the offer of muscle, the farmer girl couldn’t help but immediately think of the labour that came with harvesting crops. She mentally shook her head. Darevan was a raider, clearly he meant that he could protect her and her family, like when they travelled to Skeldr Town. These times seemed to be pretty turbulent for the War-Forged, having a raider around would be good practice. Surely her father would agree.
Darevan picked up the whiskey, telling her to take it back before taking one last drink from it. Gwen was glad he’d enjoyed it, she meekly took the bottle from him with a nod, such a gentleman. Gwen was about to say goodbye when her eyes caught Darevan calling her a blessing. She froze, her lips parting in shock, before she quickly closed her mouth and blinked back the emotion. She managed to smile, thankful for the compliment. Maybe the stallion didn’t even realize how much those words meant to her at all.
“Thank you… Darevan. That means a lot to me. I’m glad I could help you.” The white mare said, beaming gratefully and maybe even a tiny little bit proud. She swallowed hard suddenly and stepped back, she’d almost forgotten where they were or how cold and wet her pelt was. She dipped her head, but a small smile remained. “Goodnight.” She said quickly before turning and escaping the barn. The cold rain that hit her face suddenly felt refreshing and she wasn’t bothered by it the slightest as she trotted back home. Only looking back at the barn once before vanishing inside.
Wordcount 331 | Post #9 |
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Post by Dream-Lark on May 13, 2020 14:31:25 GMT -6
Darevan;War Forged|Raider
Ah, now if that wasn't the prettiest, most charming smile he'd seen in a while. It was the kind that reached the eyes and made them sparkle in the dim lighting of the barn that the two occupied. It seemed to disappear in an instant though, when Gwen blinked and stepped backward, away from him. She was good at that, never coming too close. It was coy, but modest and seemed truly genuine.
"G'night," Darevan echoed, stomping his hoof gently as the little white mare fled into the rain and the safety of her home. Purple hued eyes gazed after her, a goofy smile appearing on lips when no one was there to witness it. He'd have to find some reason to stop back by here before the Flower Festival, if he could. He definitely wanted to see Gwen again, and hopefully she wouldn't mind. Or he wouldn't be getting her into any trouble with her male guardian, her father, he was assuming.
The raider turned back to his gear after a moment, studying the mud still left to be cleaned, before his gaze rose to slowly wander around the barn. Sides rose and fell as a large breath escaped as a sigh. The place felt suddenly...colder and emptier, for some reason. But that was foolish, Darevan scolded himself. He shook his head to force himself to focus on the task at hand. He needed to get his gear cleaned and get some sleep while he could. He had an early morning, a trek to get back to town and report in, and his armor needed as much time to dry as possible. So with another sigh he didn't even realize he made, he set to work before tossing himself onto a pile of hay to sleep.
WC:298 | Post #9 |
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jun 7, 2020 1:58:19 GMT -6
Hello Starborns! Your thread rewards are:
waterdrup: 20 AP + 1 CS
Dreamlark: 20 AP + 1 CS
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